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January 24, 2026
I Want Your Sex review
Sundance film festival: As a provocative artist using sex to wield power, the actor is electric but the writer-director’s return to his campy, dayglo roots is largely underwhelming
TL;DR
- Sundance Film Festival is characterized by a retrospective atmosphere this year, honoring American film's past.
- Gregg Araki's "I Want Your Sex" is a new film premiering at Sundance, noted as a return to his signature provocative style.
- The film features vibrant colors, themes of unfettered sex, and madcap plotting, reminiscent of Araki's earlier works.
- Olivia Wilde delivers a strong performance as a provocative artist, compared to old-time stars.
- Cooper Hoffman plays a new assistant who becomes Wilde's submissive, exploring themes of age and sexual history.
- The film attempts to comment on generational stereotypes regarding sex but is criticized for not developing its ideas much further.
- Despite sexual themes and props like dildos, the film is described as tame and lacking in genuine raunchiness or excitement.
- Cooper Hoffman is considered miscast, lacking chemistry with Wilde and seeming out of place in the film's heightened reality.
- The film aims for shock and arousal but ultimately fails to capture audience attention or generate significant debate.
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